Kirinji Tenjirō had been preparing to make a move when Haruto's sudden shout froze him mid-step.
Looking up, he realized every pair of eyes—yes, even the half-dead figure nailed to the tree—was staring at him.
Why are my teammates like this?
"I don't mind if the two of you come at me together," Yanagi Junrei said, narrowing his eyes. His tone was calm, but the implication clear: even together, they wouldn't win.
Before either Shinigami could answer, Rei's voice rang out.
"Kirinji-sensei, Brother Yamabuki—you misunderstood! This uncle isn't the bad guy!"
Both men blinked.
Rei quickly told them what had happened, and Haruto's gaze drifted toward the mutilated figure on the tree. The true killer wasn't Junrei—it was the man he'd flayed alive.
At first, Haruto almost brushed it off… until the precision of Junrei's work hit him.
How much practice does it take to peel a man alive and keep him breathing?
"You're the real madman here," Haruto muttered under his breath.
Junrei, eyes locked on the twitching, skinless form, spoke without looking at them. "Since you know her, take her. I'll stay here… watch this filth die slowly."
There was no bravado in his voice—just a cold, unshakable certainty.
"I didn't catch your name," Haruto said.
"Yanagi Junrei. Ordinary resident. No hobbies except killing." His thin smile made the words worse.
The name hit Haruto like a jolt. The first captain of the Third Division…? No wonder they say the original thirteen captains were all lunatics.
Still, with the goal of making the Gotei 13 stronger, Haruto pressed his luck.
"Uncle, you've got skill. Ever thought about joining the Gotei 13?"
"No. I don't join organizations. I like my freedom."
"Listen. We're not just some ragtag group—we're officially recognized by Soul Society, tasked with keeping the balance of the three realms, protecting—"
"Not interested in protecting anything."
Haruto switched tactics. "What about the benefits? Food, housing, salary, travel allowances. You're not indiscriminate—you only target the scum you judge guilty. Alone, you can kill a few. As a captain, you could have hundreds of subordinates finding them for you. Then you kill as many as you want."
Even monks have desires—Haruto knew everyone had a hook.
Junrei's expression hardened in thought. "Tell me more."
"How about this—you join first. If you're not satisfied, leave anytime. No strings."
It was bait, plain and simple. Haruto couldn't promise him a captaincy yet—rules were rules. But getting him in the door was enough.
And so, under Haruto's persuasion, Junrei agreed to at least "stay for now."
On the way back, they met Saitō Furofushi rushing toward them.
"That's it? Already finished?" Saitō looked disappointed. "I wanted a decent fight."
Haruto blinked—he'd expected Shihōin Chihiro to be the backup. Good thing it wasn't her—ending that mess would've been impossible.
"The old man and Chihiro? Busy. You have no idea how many people are lining up to join the Gotei 13," Saitō said. "I bailed. Paperwork is suffocating. By the way, you'd better hurry back too, 'Chief of Staff.'"
Haruto grimaced. That title had been Yamamoto's offhand remark in Central 46. How had it stuck? Still, with the organization already swamped, skipping out might give someone ammo to block his retirement later.
Back in Seireitei, Haruto nearly got shoved back out the gate.
The east gate was swarmed. Lines stretched all the way into the distant districts of Rukongai. Nobles in their finery, commoners craning for a glimpse of the city—eight queues in total, thousands of people.
"…This is insane," Haruto muttered.
Yamamoto, buried in paperwork, spotted him and dragged him straight into the office.
"Captain, I've found you a recruit," Haruto said quickly, gesturing to Junrei.
Their eyes met. Spiritual pressure flared—Junrei's expression shifted, the faintest glimmer of surprise showing. This man's reiatsu was vast, oceanic. So this is the Captain-Commander… interesting.
"Go line up," Yamamoto said simply. No special treatment.
Junrei didn't argue. He turned and walked to the very end of the line.
I can't beat him. I can't beat him.
"Captain, how are we selecting members?" Haruto asked, just as the line outside started shouting for answers.